Apple unveiled a new chip, the M4, on Tuesday with a “neural engine” designed for the type of computing mandated for artificial intelligence features, such as generating images or text—but, in a surprise move, the tech company introduced it in an iPad Pro model instead of a laptop.
iPad Pros will have the M4 chip, as well as upgraded displays, and will start at $1,000 for an 11-inch tablet and $1,300 for a 13-inch model. According to an analyst who spoke with Reuters, Apple likely made the decision because it was eager to make the more power-efficient chips available to app makers before its annual software developer conference next month.
“The neural engine makes M4 an outrageously powerful chip for AI,” said Tim Millet, vice president of platform architecture at Apple, during a presentation. “In fact, with this level of performance, the neural engine and M4 is more powerful than any neural processing unit in any AI PC today.”
Apple also debuted updated models of the iPad Air, which will now be available in a 13-inch screen size for $800. The 11-inch screen size for $600 will still be available, and both come with an M2 chip.
